surge

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, whose words have been parsed over the past weeks as the presidential campaign focuses on foreign policy, discusses the success of the surge and his opinion that troops would have to be withdrawn from Iraq before added to Afghanistan in a significant way. Continue reading →

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of Iraqi army recruits in the country’s troubled Diyala province Tuesday, killing at least 28 people according to Iraqi police and military. Continue reading →

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain hit the campaign trail yesterday to discuss their views on economic policy and Iraq. Kwame Holman reports on the state of the campaign. Continue reading →

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki asked world leaders Thursday “to end the international sanctions that were imposed on Iraq because of the previous regime and to write off debts” that are an “impediment against reconstruction and development.” Continue reading →

Defense Secretary Robert Gates nominated Wednesday Gen. David Petraeus to head the U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military experts analyze the change in role and what it means for U.S. military efforts in the region. Continue reading →

A funeral for two anti-al-Qaida Sunni tribesman in a town north of Baghdad was the target of a suicide bombing Thursday that killed at least 50 people and wounded many more, according to local police. Continue reading →

This week, Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker spoke to Congressional panels about the current situation in Iraq and President Bush backed shorter Iraq troop tours. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week in the news. Continue reading →

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker briefed Congress for a second day Wednesday, discussing the situation in Iraq with lawmakers in the House. Two House members reflect on the hearings and the road ahead for Iraq policy. Continue reading →

U.S. forces launched airstrikes Friday in Basra, joining Iraqi forces in an effort to quell Shiite militia fighting in both the southern port city and in parts of Baghdad. New York Times reporter James Glanz provides an update on the latest developments from Baghdad. Continue reading →